Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 11 Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt www.FredericksburgParent.NET 3 Through NK Floors, the Owens con nue to support the mission- ary work of others around the world, and they are also involved in community chari es and services through their support of the Zoe Freedom Center, an organiza on dedicated to helping individuals overcome addic on, and Habitat for Humanity. When it comes to flooring, the Owens believe in educa on first, ensuring that customers can make informed decisions that fully meet their needs. They take ample me to sit down with customers to discuss op ons and needs, educate about materials and products, and offer samples so that products can be tried in the home before commi ng. Nathan shared a few ps for those searching for quality flooring and carpe ng to keep in mind: Flooring Tips for Busy Families • Aim for both beauty and durability. Many families love the look of hardwood but need something more forgiving. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and high-quality, engineered hardwood offer a similar style with be er resistance to scratches and spills. • Consider luxury vinyl plank for everyday living. Today's LVP comes in beau ful colors and realis c textures, is waterproof, and holds up well to heavy foot traffic – o en at a more family-friendly price point. • Think about comfort and noise. Wood Plas c Composite (WPC) vinyl flooring includes a cushioned core that adds so ness underfoot and helps reduce noise, making it a great op on for playrooms and family gathering spaces. • Be cau ous with tradi onal laminate. Laminate doesn't handle moisture well and can swell if spills go unno ced, making it less ideal for homes with young children or pets. • Ask about hybrid flooring op ons. Mineral-core hybrid products like PureTech by Mohawk resist moisture while offering a tougher surface that stands up to daily wear. • • Pay a en on to thickness in wood floors. For engineered or solid hardwood, look for flooring that's at least a half inch thick. Thinner, builder-grade op ons may look nice at first but don't tend to last. • Check the wear layer on luxury vinyl. A 20-mil wear layer is a good benchmark for family homes. Thinner layers may be cheaper, but they're more likely to show wear over me. • Adver sed deals o en feature lower-quality materials. Always check the fine print and ask about durability before commi ng. Carpet Tips for Homes with Kids and Pets • Look for pet- and spill-friendly op ons. Pet Protect carpets have special backing that prevents spills from soaking through and makes cleanup easier. • Consider solu on-dyed carpet. These carpets have built-in stain and color resistance, helping them look fresh longer. • Avoid low-density, 25-ounce carpet, which is o en used in promo onal deals but tends to wear out quickly. • Start at 35 ounces or higher. A minimum of 35-ounce carpet offers be er comfort and durability, and many families can even upgrade to 45-ounce carpet for a similar price. • Compare quality, not just cost. When ge ng quotes, ask about carpet weight, backing, and warran es, not just square- foot pricing. The Owens noted the rewarding nature of the work they do and that growth is at the forefront of their minds, not only in business but in giving back to the community. They also expressed a desire to support young people looking to go into a trade such as flooring. Karie said, "We would love to open up a training center, and I would love to see NK Floors spearheading that in our area, making that a via- ble op on for people to choose a very good business route." For the Owens, this vision for the future is rooted in deep apprecia- on for the community they serve and the rela onships they've built along the way. Karie said, "We are honored to serve this community. We are excited to get to know more families and try to make a difference." To learn more about NK Floors: nkfloors.com facebook.com/NKfloors Instagram @nk.floors 10042 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 Ask the Expert

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